Our Carpentry Series
The Women on the Tools Carpentry series is a confidence-building introduction to simple carpentry skills. We offer three categories: Introduction to Carpentry, Carpentry for Gardeners, and Carpentry for Artists. All courses have been developed for beginners with no previous experience, and cover the fundamentals of tool use and workshop techniques, ensuring you gain practical, hands-on experience. And whatever you create in the course is yours to take home with you!
What You’ll Learn
- Fundamentals of tool use and workshop techniques
- Course-specific materials, preparation, and construction
- Safe use of hand and power saws, drill drivers
- Accurate and safe measuring and cutting
- Simple joinery techniques using drills and screws
Requirements and Materials
Bring only yourself; we provide all tools, materials, safety glasses, gloves, and ear protection. For
full-day courses, bring your own lunch (morning tea provided for both half and full-day courses).
Wear workshop-appropriate clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and sturdy, closed-in shoes.
Introduction to Carpentry (Wooden Box or Bookshelf)
Full Day (9am-5pm)Fri, Sat, or Sun (Check Bookings page for upcoming dates)
Learn simple carpentry techniques such as cutting, drilling, and assembly. Create a wooden box (300mm3) or a small bookshelf (150mm(D) x 480mm(W) x 750mm(H)).
Carpentry for Artists (Stretcher Frame or Simple Picture Framing)
Half Day (9am-12pm)Fri, Sat, or Sun (Check Bookings page for upcoming dates)
Ideal for both professional and hobby artists to take control of the skills needed to create and exhibit your artwork. You will learn the fundamentals of carpentry, along with the specialist tools and techniques for canvas stretching and picture framing.
Create a wooden stretcher frame (400mm(L) x 400mm(W)) or a picture frame (up to 400mm(L) x 400mm(W)*).
* NB – picture frame dependent upon individual artwork you bring with you.
Carpentry for Gardeners (Garden Bed or Garden Bench)
Full Day (9am-5pm)Fri, Sat, or Sun (Check Bookings page for upcoming dates)
Focussing on the specifics of building for outdoor and rough conditions, you’ll learn about suitable hardware and techniques, along with tips and tricks for prolonging the life of the things you build. Construct a raised garden bed or garden bench using recycled materials.
Our Home Maintenance Series
The Home Maintenance series is designed for beginners with no prior experience. In these courses, you’ll be introduced to a variety of basic techniques required for simple home maintenance tasks. Each course covers the fundamentals of tool use and various stages of home handy-person repairs.
What You’ll Learn
- Working in the home maintenance environment, practices, processes and techniques, health and safety.
- Course-specific materials, preparation, and construction
- Safe use of hand and power saws, drill drivers
- Accurate and safe measuring and cutting
- Simple joinery techniques using drills and screws
Requirements and Materials
Bring only yourself; we provide all tools, materials, safety glasses, dust masks, gloves, and ear protection. For full-day courses, bring your own lunch (morning tea is provided for both half and full-day courses). Wear workshop-appropriate clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and sturdy, closed-in shoes.
Home Maintenance 101: Building your home Tool Kit (including drill/drivers)
Half Day (9am-1pm)Fri, Sat, or Sun (Check Bookings page for upcoming dates)
Embark on your Home Maintenance journey with us, starting with mastering the basics of a must-have home toolkit! Get ready to roll up your sleeves and feel the thrill as you learn to control the must-have power tool – the drill/driver. Have fun drilling a hole in the wall, installing a screw, and standing back to admire your handiwork – with a perfectly hung picture!
The best part? You get to take home a handy tool to assist you with your projects. Come join us, learn something new, and start the home improvements today.
Home Maintenance 102: Working with Plasterboard
Half Day (9am-1pm)Fri, Sat, or Sun (Check Bookings page for upcoming dates)
Welcome to the exciting world of plasterboard work and repairing plastered surfaces!
This hands-on, accessible course is perfect for those who love to learn new skills. We’ll guide you through the essentials- from understanding the right tools and materials, to mastering plasterboard installation and repair techniques.
You’ll learn how to measure, cut, and install plasterboard panels, set and sand plasterboard joints, and even cut and install cornicing. Plus, you’ll learn how to fix those pesky holes and cracks in plasterboard and plaster finished brick walls!
Home Maintenance 103: Preparing and Painting a Room
COMING SOON
Home Maintenance 104: Tiling
COMING SOON
Home Maintenance 105: Bathrooms and Kitchens
COMING SOON
Home Maintenance 106: Doors & Windows
COMING SOON
Home Maintenance 107: Skirting, Architraves, and Picture Rails
COMING SOON
Our Welding & Metal Fabrication Series
No welding or metalworking experience is required! You have the option of a half-day ‘have a go’ welding course or a 2-day introduction to working with mild steel. Both courses will get you started with the easiest and most accessible welding process: MIG welding.
What You’ll Learn
- Metalworking and welding safety
- Planning and preparing materials
- Cutting and preparing mild steel
- MIG welding techniques
- Steel clean-up and finishing
Requirements and Materials
Bring only yourself; we provide all tools, materials, welding helmets, safety glasses, dust masks, gloves, and ear protection. For full-day courses, bring your own lunch (morning tea is provided for both half and full-day courses). Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt (no synthetic materials), and sturdy, closed-in boots or shoes
Basic Welding Techniques
Half Day (9am-1pm)Fri, Sat, or Sun (Check Bookings page for upcoming dates)
Welding wonders await you! Perfect for those curious minds wanting to try something new.
This half-day course allows you to get up close and personal with the tools and machinery required to work with mild steel. You will be guided slowly and safely through various MIG welding techniques, and discover the joy of fusing mild steel – from perfecting your tacking techniques to running a beautiful weld bead.
Ready to spark your welding journey? Book your course now!
Masterclasses
We’re not experts in every field, so we’ve gathered those who are!
Our masterclasses offer specialised skills to enhance your knowledge in a wide range of areas. Learn from the best, and master the skills you need to succeed.
*These courses run based on instructor availability
Bricklaying Masterclass
Half Day (9am-12pm)Fri, Sat, or Sun (Check Bookings page for dates)
Come and dive into a hands-on bricklaying adventure with Garden Deisgner and Landscaper Bex Phoenix!
You’ll get up close with bricklaying tools and materials, and even lay your very own brick structure. We’ll walk you through every step, ensuring you know how to handle materials and tools safely, prepare your workspace, and even create a plan for your bricklaying project.
Waterwise Native Gardening
Half Day (9am-12pm)Fri, Sat, or Sun (Check Bookings page for dates)
Join our garden guru, Bex Phoenix, and discover the joy of nurturing your own waterwise garden, where plants thrive year-round!
Learn the techniques to look after both existing and new plants, and delve into the world of soils and explore methods for long-term improvement, minimizing both time and expenses. A selection of native tube stock will be available to each participant to to practice potting or planting at home.
Paving Masterclass
Half Day (9am-12pm)Fri, Sat, or Sun (Check Bookings page for dates)
Learn how to complete the basic paving job with Garden Designer and Landscaper Bex Phoenix!
This hands-on class will allow you to experience how to use paving tools, work with brickies sand and how to make different patterns in your paving. Step by step you will be guided through how to safely pave, how to prepare the site to be paved, and how to lay standard pavers.
Bring your enthusiastic self and knee pads if you have them (if not, a thick towel or blanket will do!) as you will be on our knees for part of the course.
Making Metal Art
Half Day (9am-1pm)Fri, Sat, or Sun (Check Bookings page for dates)
Join the “Maiden-of-Metal”, Kitty Woodhouse, and craft your very own metal masterpiece!
No need to be daunted – we’ll guide you through every step, from basic welding and cutting, to shaping and designing your work. You’ll even learn how to give it the perfect finishing touch, and pick up some handy beginner’s tips along the way. So, why not give it a try? Dive in and discover the joy of hands-on learning and expanding your creativity.
*NB: Some courses have a Plasma cutting demonstration where participants are able to try their hand with the
machinery.
Reticulation Installation
Half Day (9am-12pm)Fri, Sat, or Sun (Check Bookings page for dates)
Learn how to install a basic reticulation system in your backyard with Garden Designer and Landscaper Bex Phoenix!
This very interactive course will walk you through how to put together a reticulation system using poly pipe. Step by step you will learn how reticulation materials and parts (like the controller, valve and solenoid) work. The knowledge you gain will make your home installation a breeze, and troubleshooting effortless.
Motor Vehicle Maintenance
Half Day (9am-1pm)Fri, Sat, or Sun (Check Bookings page for dates)
Have you always wanted to master the art of the car jack and change a tyre with confidence? Pop the bonnet and navigate your way around with ease?
Come and learn the nuts and bolts of car maintenance with motor mechanic veteran of 25 years, Gabrielle (Gubs) Abel! Gain a good understanding of how motor vehicles work and their servicing needs, as well as the basics or changing tyres and ‘popping the hood’. Gubs will also decode motor mechanic ‘lingo’ and have you chatting with your mechanic like a pro!
Come and join us! Feel empowered, get on the tools, and take the driver’s seat in maintaining your vehicle.